Backup using tar and fbackup

[Mauro_8]

Hi,

I have a scheduled backup running every day using TAR to backup database files and other scheduled backup in SAM using FBACKUP only on fridays to backup the others files of the system. Can I use the same tape to do this job ? I??m afraid to lose one of the two backups.

Cheers,
Mauro

[Dietmar Konermann · Accepted solution]

The fbackup command only supports one archive per tape. No appending, etc. is available. So if you need more than one session on a single medium (using non-autorewind device files) you cannot use fbackup...

Regards...
Dietmar.

[Mauro_8]

Hi,

It was my fear :-(

Thanks,
Mauro

[John Palmer]

However, it may be possible to write the tar archive after fbackup...

From experiment, if you run fbackup to a NO-REWIND device (contrary to advice in the man pages) then the tape is not rewound.

So the following is possible...

1. Run fbackup -f /dev/rmt/?mn
2. Run your tar to the same device.

The (minor) difficulty is how to position to your tar dump if you heve to do a restore. One possibility is as follows...

export TAPE=/dev/rmt/?mn
mt rew
while true
do
mt fsf 1 || break
done
mt bsf 3
mt fsf 1

This code will leave the tape positioned at the start of the LAST file on the tape which will be your tar dump.

Running frecover with the -N flag (no recovery) also appears to leave the tape positioned correctly.

Regards,
John

[Darrell Allen]

Hi Mauro,

If possible, I'd use different tapes for the tar and fbackup jobs. I think you're asking for trouble in trying to save a tape, especially since you only backup the other files once a week. Ask yourself, what is it worth to know that you can restore your system?

Why not consider using fbackup instead of tar? On Friday you could backup your other files in addition to the database files.

I trust you have your database down while backing it up. Else, your backups may be unreliable.

Mauro, let me suggest you read:
http://66.216.15.50/ITRCForumsEtiquette

I think you'll find you get more (and perhaps more detailed) answers to your questions if you apply what you learn from the above web page, especially the "After Posting to the ITRC Forums" section.

Darrell